Last night's loss was what we needed.

I know we blew a 15 point lead, but they are the champs and knows how to put the foot on the gas when needed. But the fact that we played so hard opened a lot of eyes about our young guys. Especially Ross.http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miam...ors-miami-heat
People actually too notice that the guys played very well together.

Can't help but think though that if that foul by Johnson didn't happen in the final minute, we might have been able to handle on for the win.

Not too often we can call a loss a good loss, but last night was one in my opinion.

Great effort guys.

PS sorry about title weneeded should be we needed. Cannot figure out how to edit title after submitting.

I would think a win would've gone further in opening ESPN's eyes, than a close loss.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure that it would have. When teams with losing records beat Elite teams it seems that the media play it as a fluke and that the elite team had an off night. By hanging with the Heat last night and going blow for blow at the end of the game, it showed our abilities to match up with an elite team who was playing at an elite level.

I'm not sure that it would have. When teams with losing records beat Elite teams it seems that the media play it as a fluke and that the elite team had an off night. By hanging with the Heat last night and going blow for blow at the end of the game, it showed our abilities to match up with an elite team who was playing at an elite level.

I don't agree, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

However, that still doesn't explain why we "needed" this loss. Is ESPN's opinion more important than wins?

I know we blew a 15 point lead, but they are the champs and knows how to put the foot on the gas when needed. But the fact that we played so hard opened a lot of eyes about our young guys. Especially Ross.http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miam...ors-miami-heat
People actually too notice that the guys played very well together.

Can't help but think though that if that foul by Johnson didn't happen in the final minute, we might have been able to handle on for the win.

Not too often we can call a loss a good loss, but last night was one in my opinion.

Great effort guys.

PS sorry about title weneeded should be we needed. Cannot figure out how to edit title after submitting.

I don't believe in "good losses". For all the bolded statements, just think how much more emphasized those points would have been if the Raps had come together and actually pulled out a win over the defending champs. I think if all that effort and team-first play had resulted in a W, it would have done wonders for this team on and off the court, head and shoulders above what a hard-fought loss did.

I'm not sure that it would have. When teams with losing records beat Elite teams it seems that the media play it as a fluke and that the elite team had an off night.By hanging with the Heat last night and going blow for blow at the end of the game, it showed our abilities to match up with an elite team who was playing at an elite level.

I dont think the media would have said the Heat played a bad game, or had an off night if the Raps pulled it out in OT. Thats the thing, the Heat played pretty damn well (their defense was shady but it has been inconsistent all year). If the Raps had won, they would have beat the Heat playing a high calibre level of basketball. I think that a win would have been far more important in "opening ESPN's eyes" for this reason. Both teams were playing well, not just the Heat having an off night (which was the case for their loss against the Wiz, if memory serves me correctly).

I don't believe in "good losses". For all the bolded statements, just think how much more emphasized those points would have been if the Raps had come together and actually pulled out a win over the defending champs. I think if all that effort and team-first play had resulted in a W, it would have done wonders for this team on and off the court, head and shoulders above what a hard-fought loss did.

PS: I fixed the title for you.

Thank you very much for fixing that title for me.

I agree with you on the statements you highlighted. However, my point with the title was to point out that even though the win would have made everyone, especially the raps fan happy and excited, the loss, as strange as it may sound actually in my opinion did more for us because it showed that we still have a lot to learn in how to finish off games. And most importantly, it showed just how much Casey is lacking when it comes to matching superior coaches move to move.

Every loss that you take, especially a close loss against a top team like the Heat, should make the guys even more hungry and determined.

For some strange reason, most fighter who lose a close match usually go back to the tapes and try to figure out where things went wrong and what they could have done differently. When they win, they don't go back to the tapes as often because they are riding with confidence and forget about the basics.

I don't know. I love LeBron's sportsmanship. So rare in a top player, let alone the best player in a generation. He really is the kind of guy where watching him play and such, he clearly feels how important the game is, and that it's bigger than him.

As for the game....we needed might be a bit over the top. It was probably our best loss of the season though, I guess, for whatever that's worth. I mean, it might be good for the confidence of a young guy like Ross, but really who knows if it'll have any impact on the team going forward. Hope so, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a dud out in Orlando tonight.

I don't know. I love LeBron's sportsmanship. So rare in a top player, let alone the best player in a generation. He really is the kind of guy where watching him play and such, he clearly feels how important the game is, and that it's bigger than him.

Disagree. Media would have been all over the Heat for their poor first half. Don't think for one second a Raps win would've given them any recognition. This would've been all about the Heat loss, not the Raps win. Anyhow, one win or close loss against a great team means nothing. Nobody will care that the Wiz beat the heat when they finish dead last in the league.

I know we blew a 15 point lead, but they are the champs and knows how to put the foot on the gas when needed. But the fact that we played so hard opened a lot of eyes about our young guys. Especially Ross.http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miam...ors-miami-heat
People actually too notice that the guys played very well together.

Can't help but think though that if that foul by Johnson didn't happen in the final minute, we might have been able to handle on for the win.

Not too often we can call a loss a good loss, but last night was one in my opinion.

Great effort guys.

PS sorry about title weneeded should be we needed. Cannot figure out how to edit title after submitting.

I hate when people say this, putting the outcome of the game on one specific play. Hey, if the Big Bang didn't happen, we all wouldn't be here.

I was just thinking a similar thing. Not that this loss was one they "needed" but it was admirable none the less. Sure they blew a lead but they built one up again. Sure they got blown out in the 3rd quarter but they won the 4th quarter. Sure miami has lost games to washington and they were on a 5 day break but I don't buy that. They may sleep on washington or detroit, and we may not be cleveland but the heat must have been at least a bit conscious that they were playing Bosh's old team. If the heat point to their big third quarter as evidence that it took them a while to find their legs, then how did we outdo them in the 4th. That's what I was proud to see. When I saw the second lead slip away at the end of the third, I thought the raps would fade away. Good on them for not doing that.

I just don't get it. Last year we wanted as high a draft pick as possible, but most people wanted the team to win every meaningless game with a roster that would be significantly turned over in the offseason. Now a "good" loss is being applauded in the middle of a season in which most people were targeting playoffs as a real, attainable goal??? I think I woke up in bizzaro world, Jerry!